Prosecutors, victims’ families fight parole for Brownell, Madison

ROCKFORD — Prosecutors and family members of two murder victims traveled to Dixon on Tuesday to lobby against parole for convicted killers Curtis Brownell and Calvin Madison.

Brownell, who raped and killed Louise Betts in 1977, and Madison, who killed John Hogan in 1970, are each requesting the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to grant their release. It’s Madison’s 33rd attempt at parole and Brownell’s 14th try.

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato and Marilyn Hite Ross, chief of the state’s attorney’s criminal bureau, joined members of Betts’ and Hogan’s families to protest parole. Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier also attended to testify against parole for Brownell. They also asked the parole board not to take up another hearing for either man for five years, the maximum length allowed between parole requests.

Families submitted hundreds of petition signatures and letters against parole to the Prisoner Review Board to urge denial of parole.

A decision on Brownell’s parole is tentatively scheduled for March 27. Madison’s parole decision is expected in May.

To sign an online petition for or against either’s release visit rrstar.com/brownell-petition or rrstar.com/madison-petition.